Chinese merchant ship shakes off pirates

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-22-2009 08:40

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A Chinese merchant ship has successfully thwarted an attack by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was not included on a protection list of China's escort fleet in the region. And the naval fleet is urging more Chinese ships to apply for escort assistance as piracy increases in the region.

After a 20 minute battle, the pirates failed to board the ship and made their getaway.

The merchant ship "Xinrongyao" was sailing 110 nautical miles off the Gulf of Aden on Monday, when it encountered armed Somali pirates in two boats.

The pirates chased the ship and fired their guns at it. After sending an SOS signal for foreign aid, the vessel managed to escape.

Chinese escort fleet Fan Jun said, "The captain ordered the ship to speed up, and navigated in an S-line to shake off the pirates. All the ship's guards were wearing helmets and gathered on the stern to prevent the pirates from boarding. They also fired rockets at the pirates' boats."

After a 20 minute battle, the pirates failed to board the ship and made their getaway.